Stewart Island

Stewart Island is the southernmost of New Zealand's three main islands and covers an area of 165,000 hectares. This is an area not a lot of New Zealanders have visited, and they should. You can enjoy the land and sea, view Kiwi wildlife, walk, boat, fish, dive, kayak, hunt or just relax. Stewart Island will provide you with experiences which tourists talk about and will make you want to return. Stewart Island is a short 40-minute ferry ride from Bluff.

With a population of only 350 locals, it is like arriving in your own world.

Stewart Island

The Flora, Fauna and the bird life are fantastic and like New Zealand would have been when the first settlers arrived. Fishing is the mainstay of the Island and all around you, there is clear water, fish, seals and other sea mammals. Tours on Stewart Island let you explore the land and sea. Friendly locals and great accommodation with the fine food will put a smile on your face. Commercial fishing provides most of the employment, although in the past tin mining and timber milling were important industries on the island.

Stewart Island only has 20 kilometres of road, walking is the best way to explore. The island is covered in native vegetation and fringed with bays and beaches. Stewart Island is a haven for native bird life, Kiwis, Sooty Shearwaters, Wekas and the rare Kaka (a native parrot).

Stewart Island Map

Plenty of well-maintained tracks will lead you all over the Island to places of scenic or historic interest. Launch cruises to some of the nearby islands offer an insight into the area's marine wealth.

Stewart Island must be visited if you are in Invercargill